The Phoenix club opens to a multitude of problems.
Peter Kay, David Bramwell, and Neil Fitzmaurice introduce the characters and setting of their wonderful comedy in a great first episode.
The strength of comedy for me is how prolifically the material and performances deliver laughs. I appreciate this depends very much on your own sense of humour and these reviews are always the most subjective. I personally find the situations, dialogue and sight-gags to be excellent.
It is difficult to pick a favourite moment, but virtually everything that comes out of Brian Potter's mouth is funny to me. Plus all the details that make it look and feel like a typical working man's social club create a brilliant first impression. My biggest laugh always comes from Les' perfectly timed final line that starts the first of many recurring wind-ups in relation to the character Ray Von.
All actors are on terrific form especially Kay, Bramwell, Fitzmaurice, and Paddy McGuinness.